“It’s a Little C*nty” When Bands Don’t Play Their Hits

While it’s understandable that bands want to play the “new stuff” when they go out on tour, most fans still want to hear the hits. Count Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme among those who think music acts should perform their “big songs” in concert.

While appearing on the Tuna on Toast With Stryker podcast (as transcribed by Ultimate Classic Rock), Homme remarked, “I understand that I’m always going to play [QOTSA hit] ‘No One Knows’ because I still like playing that song and that’s something that it’s an agreement with the audience. I assume that this is a part of coming here to see us, and here you go.”

He continued, “When there’s bands that don’t want to play their big song or their big songs, I always think it’s a little c*nty to do that. Acting like a song that a lot of people like is a burden is just a strange reaction to the gift that your fans have given you. Seems like an odd reaction.”

Homme went on to point out that some acts have a hard time handling the success of their hit songs. “In the years of doing this, I’ve seen a lot of artists … sort of get angry at their own music for doing well,” he added. “Having fans is a cool thing. And they want stuff. And when it comes to playing the stuff that they want, I feel like that’s why this is happening, right? You guys are all here because you want to hear some stuff and also have no idea what’s going to happen. And you need to have that basic food group in order for me to surprise you, too. Surprise requires knowing some constants are going to happen. So I don’t sweat stuff like that.”

Fans can be sure that QOTSA will play hits like “No One Knows” and “Go With the Flow” on their headlining North American tour, which kicks off Thursday (August 3rd) in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Tickets are available here.

Listen to Homme on the Tuna on Toast with Stryker podcast here, and hear his recent interview with Consequence below.